Apparatus and method for recycling blackwater and greywater at oil and gas well sites

Abstract

A water treatment system includes a bioreactor having a tank configured to receive an influent liquid, a separator structure positioned in the tank, an aeration vent positioned in the tank and configured to direct air into the tank, but not directly into the interior of the separator structure; and an effluent outlet communicating with the interior of the separator structure through which a relatively clean effluent liquid, exits from the separator structure via the effluent outlet, a filter tank in fluid communication with the effluent outlet of the tank, and an ozone generator in communication downstream of the filter tank, for oxidizing the effluent liquid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water treatment system, comprising:
 a bioreactor comprising:
 a tank configured to receive an influent liquid; 
 a separator structure positioned in the tank, the separator structure having a frustoconical shape and defining an opening proximal to or at a bottom of the separator structure, wherein an interior of the separator structure is in communication with the tank, external to the separator structure, at least via the opening; 
 an aeration vent positioned in the tank and configured to direct air into the tank, but not directly into the interior of the separator structure; and 
 an effluent outlet communicating with the interior of the separator structure, proximal to a top of the separator structure, wherein a relatively clean effluent liquid, in comparison to the influent liquid, exits from the separator structure via the effluent outlet; 
   a filter tank in fluid communication with the effluent outlet of the tank;   an ozone generator in communication with and downstream of the filter tank, for oxidizing the effluent liquid.   
     
     
         2 . The water treatment system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more energy sources selected from the group consisting of a solar panel array, a fuel cell, and a wind turbine. 
     
     
         3 . The water treatment system of  claim 2 , wherein the water treatment system is not connected to an external energy source other than the one or more energy sources. 
     
     
         4 . The water treatment system of  claim 1 , further comprising potable water filter tank positioned downstream of the ozone generator. 
     
     
         5 . The water treatment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a wastewater tank positioned upstream of the potable water filter tank and downstream of the ozone generator. 
     
     
         6 . The water treatment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a transfer pump configured to pump effluent from the wastewater tank into the potable water filter tank. 
     
     
         7 . The water treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the bioreactor, filter tank, and ozone generator are positioned within the single container, and wherein the single container is configured to be moved between well sites. 
     
     
         8 . The water treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the bioreactor further comprises an air line connected to the aeration vent, wherein the air line extends along the bottom of the tank. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the air line extends through a wall of the tank of the bioreactor, proximal to the bottom of the tank of the bioreactor, and wherein the aeration vent is not positioned directly below the separator structure. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second tank and a second separator structure positioned at least partially in the second tank, the second tank being in communication with the effluent outlet of the bioreactor and the filter tank. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a transfer tank in fluid communication with the ozone generator. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a Venturi injector in communication with the ozone generator, the injector configured to mix ozone generated by the ozone generator in the effluent liquid. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aeration vent includes one or more diffusers extending from the bottom of the tank of the bioreactor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bioreactor further comprises a stand having a base configured to receive the separator structure, and wherein the stand is supported on a bottom of the tank. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the base of the stand is polygonal in shape and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than a maximum diameter of the separator structure, such that the separator structure is configured to be seated into the stand. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a chlorinator positioned downstream of the filter tank.